diff --git a/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Misc.pm b/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Misc.pm
index 51a8b161f..27a09904a 100644
--- a/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Misc.pm
+++ b/Shorewall/Perl/Shorewall/Misc.pm
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@ sub add_common_rules() {
     #
     # Delete 'sfilter' chain unless there are referenced to it
     #
-    $chainref->{referenced} = 0 unless @{($chainref = $filter_table->{sfilter})->{referenced}};
+    $chainref->{referenced} = 0 unless keys %{($chainref = $filter_table->{sfilter})->{references}};
 
     run_user_exit1 'initdone';